Alex Rins of Spain wins Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, Jack Miller crashes

Spain’s Alex Rins wins the dramatic Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix after local favorite Jack Miller crashes on lap eight.

Rins took the lead from Italian star Francesco Bagnaion on the final lap to win the Classic race at Phillip Island.

The 26-year-old was ahead of his compatriot, six-time world champion Marc Márquez, with Bagnaia in third.

Bagnaia remains disappointed not to win after leading most of the race, but the result nevertheless proves crucial to his World Championship hopes.

The Italian headed into his first Australian Grand Prix since 2019, trailing defending world champion Fabio Quartararo by two points in this year’s title race.

But the 25-year-old leaves the Victorian track with a handy buffer, putting him in the box seat to win his first MotoGP title after Quartararo was forced to retire.

Quartararo made a big mistake early in the race, going wide into the sand at the newly named Miller Corner on lap three.

His race came to a complete end on lap 10 and he went off the track with a disastrous result for his title ambitions.

In a big blow to Australian fans, Miller was eliminated by Spaniard Alex Marquez on lap eight.

Miller finished fifth and had a chance to claim the island’s first MotoGP win, but Marquez crashed from behind.

The ill-fated 27-year-old jumped off his Ducati and quickly ended the race, forcing Marquez to retire as well.

Not only did Miller’s hopes for the Australian Grand Prix disappear, but also his slim chances of winning this year’s world championship with two races to go in the season.

AAP